Current Employment Position:
Social Security Disability Advocate, Hill & Ponton, P.A.

Prior Employment:
Legal Advisor and Member, Board of Appeals, Construction and Land Subdivision, Puerto Rico
Menonite Academy , Social Studies Teacher
Legal Advisor, Department of Education, Puerto Rico
Social Security Attorney, Juan Hernandez Law Firm, Puerto Rico
Attorney, Police Association, Puerto Rico

Area of Practice:
Ms. Santana is a Social Security Disability Advocate. She is a trained lawyer. However, she is not a member of the Florida Bar. She is allowed under the Code of Federal Regulations to represent Social Security Claimants in disability hearings in our state. In the past 20 years, Ms. Santana has personally handled over 5,000 social security disability hearings. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our practice and our clients find that she is a joy to work with.

Bar Admissions:
Puerto Rico Bar Association
U.S. District Court, Puerto Rico
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, First Circuit

Bar Association Memberships:
National Hispanic Bar Association

Education:
Montclair University , BA 1976, Magna Cum Laude
Temple University Law School, JD, 1979

Memberships:
National Organization of Social Security Representatives

Invited Speaker on Social Security Disability:
Fibromyalgia Support Group
Epilepsy Support Group
Post Polio Support Group
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
Sickle Cell Support Group
AIDS Support Group
Mental Health Support Group
Lupus Support Group
Baptist Church
Hispanic Civic Organization

Languages:
Fluent in Spanish

Personal Note:
Maria was born in Puerto Rico and was raised in New Jersey.  She attended grammar school, high school and college in New Jersey.  She attended law school at Temple University in Philadelphia.  In 1978, she and her family moved back to Puerto Rico.  She lived and practiced law in Puerto Rico until 1992.

Maria raised her three children in Puerto Rico.  Her oldest son is a career Marine; her daughter works in the Altamonte Springs area and her youngest son lives and works in Arizona.

Maria moved to Florida with her husband, Eliezer, in 1992.   He retired as a captain from the police force in Puerto Rico and they decided to relocate after his retirement.  Maria joined Hill & Ponton shortly after coming to Florida and has been representing Social Security claimants since that time.

Maria lives in Deltona with Eliezer.  They belong to the Latin American Motorcycle Association and are very active in their church.

Contact:
mds@hillandponton.com